The owner of a nursing home who is accused of abandoning elderly and mentally ill residents in a Castro Valley senior home was arrested on March 10, along with her top administrator.

Owner Herminigilda Noveda Manuel and administrator Edgar Babael were indicted on 14 felony counts of elder abuse and face up to 17 years in jail if convicted.

The state abruptly shut down the Valley Springs Manor home in Castro Valley in 2013 after numerous code violations. However, local officials were not given notice to assist residents with finding new homes. It is alleged that Manuel and Babael, along with the majority of the rest of their staff, simply walked away on October 24, 2013, leaving the residents in the care of a cook and a janitor for two days.

Janitor Miguel Alvarez and cook Maurice Rowland stayed behind to help care for the 14 elderly and disabled residents despite not being paid for this time. On October 26, 2013, Alameda County paramedics and sheriff’s offices responded to emergency calls, and rescued 13 of the 14 patients. The 14th patient had disappeared, but was found in San Jose several days later.

The incident has led to calls for a series of legislative measures, known as the Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Reform Act of 2014, to protect residents and improve the oversight of facilities. Some of these measures were enacted by the state Legislature last year.

Evans Law Firm, Inc, has offices in San Francisco, Sonoma, and Los Angeles, and handles elder abuse and nursing home abuse cases. If you or someone you know has been a victim of elder abuse or nursing home abuse, please contact Evans Law Firm, Inc. at 415-441-8669 or via email at info@evanslaw.com for a free and confidential initial consultation.

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